Boys Regional Basketball Finals Preview

Division I Regional Final – M.L. King vs. Westchester
Saturday, March 14th at 8:00pm; Pauley Pavilion

M.L. King (30-2, 12-1) – 1st in the VIII League, CIF Division IAA Champions

The “Road to the Regional Finals” listed below tells you everything you need to know about the run M.L King has been on. From league champions (Dominguez, Mater Dei, Tesoro & Taft), to a CIF champion (Tesoro, Division IA) and even the #1 ranked team in the country (Mater Dei), M.L. King has defeated all comers. The last hurdle for M.L. King to complete the regional sweep is the D1 city champion and #3 team in the country, Westchester.

Road to the Regional Finals:

1st Round: M.L King 61, Downey 39
2nd Round: M.L. King 71, Long Beach Wilson 64
Quarterfinals: M.L. King 82, Redlands 62
Semi-Finals: M.L. King 76, Dominguez 70
Finals: M.L. King 71, Mater Dei 56
Regional 1st Round: M.L. King 72, Cleveland 54
Regional Quarterfinals: M.L. King 62, Tesoro 53
Regional Semi-Finals: M.L. King 58, Taft 48

Westchester (33-2, 11-1) – Tied for 1st in the Western League, City D1 Champions

It has been another exceptional season for the Comets who have only been defeated twice in 35 games (Winter Park Florida 60-54 and Fairfax 49-42). In Westchester’s last 10 games, they have won by an average score of 73-49. Not bad when you consider that 10 game stretch includes games against Lincoln (NY), Taft, El Camino and Fairfax. Westchester is clearly no stranger to big games, but, for the first time in a long time, they are the underdogs here.

Road to the Regional Finals:

1st Round: Westchester 80, Carson 35
Quarterfinals: Westchester 75, Fremont 33
Semi-Finals: Westchester 71, Cleveland 56
Finals: Westchester 60, Taft 55
Regional 1st Round: Westchester 85, Central 51
Regional Quarterfinals: Westchester 65, El Camino 52
Regional Semi-Finals: Westchester 55, Fairfax 54
___________________________________________________________

Division IV Regional Final – Price vs. Bishop Montgomery
Saturday, March 14th at 7:00pm; Cal State Fullerton

Price (27-5, 6-0) – 1st in the Harbor League, CIF Division IVA Champions

After a so-so 11-5 start to the season that failed to produce a marquee win for the Knights, Price has been consistent down the stretch winning 16 of their last 17 including a 7-0 mark in the playoffs. The #3 overall seed in the CIF division IVA regionals, Price picked up their most impressive win of the season by knocking off #2 regional seed and division VAA runner-up Morningside 79-73, to advance to Saturday’s final. Saturday’s meeting will be a rematch of the December 30th tilt between Price and Bishop Montgomery that Bishop won easily, 73-55.

Road to the Regional Finals

1st Round: Price 73, Whitter Christian 45
2nd Round: Price 76, Fillmore 59
Quarterfinals: Price 65, Cathedral 57
Semi-Finals: Price 69, Crespi 65
Finals: Price 79, Chaminade 69 OT
Regional 1st Round: Price 54, Parker 42
Regional Semi-Finals: Price 79, Morningside 73

Bishop Montgomery (27-4, 7-1) – 1st in the Del Rey League, CIF Division IVAA Semi-Finalist

After an uninspired victory against an outmanned yet game Kingsburg team on Tuesday night 71-62, Bishop Montgomery came back with a vengeance, dominating the #4 regional seed Bakersfield Christian 76-52. For a team that has a reputation of playing up and down to their competition, it would be wise for Bishop Montgomery to forget their early season romp of Price, and focus on taking care of business Saturday.

Road to the Regional Finals

1st Round: BYE
2nd Round: Bishop Montgomery 67, St. Francis 59
Quarterfinals: Bishop Montgomery 58, Atascadero 53
Semi-Finals: Inglewood 97, Bishop Montgomery 93
Regional 1st Round: Bishop Montgomery 71, Kingsburg 62
Regional Semi-Finals: Bishop Montgomery 76, Bakersfield Christian 52